Acne.org Products
Antiandrogen
Acne.org’s Real World Take
“Spiro” has been shown to work in a real and noticeable way most of the time. However, messing with hormones is messing with hormones and it’s best to proceed with caution.
Antiandrogen
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Spironolactone? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
January 7, 2008
Cons:
Amount of pimples hasn't really changed, just the size. Also a few pimples developed on my forehead...where I never break out.
I've had acne since 12, mild hirsuitism since 16, and I'm now 25. I was on spironolactone about five years ago, and it worked until I went off of it. Since about six weeks ago, I started out with 25 mg/day and didn't see any significant improvement, maybe a slight decrease in irritation/redness. I also got my period on time, which is rare. Then,a few weeks later I got the dosage bummped up to 50mg/day. Again nothing amazing. So about a week ago my doctor put me on 50mg/twice a day. I still haven't seen any major improvement yet, but I have hope since this drug worked before. Question for anyone who has taken this drug long-term and at a higher(>50)dosage. How long did it take to start showing a significant improvement in acne and/or hirsuitism?
December 23, 2007
Pros:
I have lost some weight since I started taking it...
Cons:
my face is breaking out worse than ever
I started taking it 3 wks ago and have upped the dose to 100mg this past week. I had to go off birth control pills 6 months ago because of melasma and my face has been getting worse since. I heard about spiro and asked my doc for it to see if it helps me because my acne seems to be hormonal. Within the 1st week of taking it, I got a ton of bumps on the lower half of my face, big and small - and they seem to be multiplying and not getting any better. Before taking it, the most pimples I would have on my face were about 4-7. My face looks worse than ever! I have read that some of you have had the same problem - but haven't seen any posts from the same people with an update on it it has gotten better. Please - any input would be helpful because I am so depressed right now - I don't even want to leave the house. Is 100mg a good dose to be on?
October 2, 2007
Pros:
cleared up my forehead, no noticeable side effects
Cons:
caused cystic breakouts around my mouth, made periods irregular
My derm prescribed spiro in addition to Duac and Differin. My acne was mostly little bumps all over my jaw and around my mouth, and little bumps on my forehead. After 2 weeks of seeing no change for the better or worse, it was like my face exploded, and all of a sudden I was getting a new cyst every day oround my jaw and chin. After 2 months, my derm took me off of it and put me on minocycline and it's only been a week and I'm already seeing improvement. She said spiro can be a miracle drug for some women and do nothing for others, and that you really can't know unless you try. But it definitely didn't work for me.
August 24, 2007
Pros:
Inexpensive. Easy to take. Tablet doesn't taste bad. I've been taking 50 mg twice a day for about 3 weeks. I've have seen fewer pimples, but I didn't have too many to start with. I THINK I am seeing a decrease in oil, but am not sure.
Cons:
None. No changes in need to urinate. The first 2 days, I think I did urinate more when I did go. But, I haven't felt that my need to go has increased, even with taking my 2nd dose right before bed.
No side effects so far. Not sure it's really started working for me after 3 weeks. I hope to see a reduction in oil production. Will update in a few more weeks.
July 22, 2007
Pros:
It is a great anti-androgen.
Cons:
It's a diuretic so you have to take it in the morning so you're not up every half hour going to the bathroom. You also have to be sure to get your potassium levels checked every few months.
I started taking Spironolactone (50mg once a day) for androgenic alopecia. I did notice though that the acne on my back had cleared up and nothing had ever gotten rid of it. I am also on Ortho Tri Cyclen but that only clears up my face.
May 16, 2007
Pros:
It works !! and cheap.
Cons:
None
I have only been using this for 2 weeks now. I am a 52 year old perimenopausal female and having a problem with acne for the last five years. Been on everything imanginable except for Accutane. Steroids, antibiotics, creams, pills, Elidel you name it. It started out causing the whiteheads to come to the surface, but then they slowly decreased. This is my second week and I can see a big difference. Please try it it cannot hurt to see if it works for you. No side effects either.
May 6, 2007
Pros:
I am 38 and had Acne since I was 12. This is the only thing that works for me. my doc would only give me 25 mg twice a day. I didn't thing it would be enough, but after 3 weeks (it got worse) my skin is totaly clear. I know take it every other day.
Cons:
Can't stop it for more than a few days or I break out really bad, with cycsts. really is the only thing that worked for me. Retin-a is ok for having blemished go away faster, but this prevents them
I love what it does for my skin, but hate the fact that I have to take medicine on a regular basis. Especially BP meds, and I have low blood presure naturally. I hope it doesn't mess up with my blood pressure. I wish I could find something that will get rid of it once and for all.
March 28, 2007
Pros:
It is helping with acne (both cystic and whiteheads). I take 100 mg/day. My facial hair seems to be growing in more slowly too :)
Cons:
First broke me out terribly, then cleared skin substantially (though not completely... I've only been on it for 3 weeks, however); nobody's kidding about the lethargy and the bathroom runs... take it before 6 PM so you won't have to wake up at night.
Not for everyone, but definitely something you should try if you have chronic acne. Please note that I use spiro with doxycycline, so can't vouch that 100% of the clear-up is due to this drug.
February 28, 2007
Pros:
Everything has been great with this medicine! Completely cleared my oily skin and acne.
Cons:
None. I have been on it with a combination of Yasmin, so I have not experienced any cycle irregularity. I am going to try to use it without the Yasmin, and see what happens.
This has been the best thing that I have ever found to treat my oily skin and acne!! It has been truly amazing! What a blessing!!
December 27, 2006
I'm 42, all of a sudden I was having cyst acne due to hormonal changes. My doctor prescribed Antibiotics and Retin A micro, it did nothing and the Retin A was too harsh. I started taking spironolactone and haven't had a single break out since. Also, with the hormonal change came water weight gain and the spironolactone helped with that as well. I love it!
Pros:
It seems like my skin is producing less oil. The pimples I get are more towards the surface of the skin, and not as deep and cystic as they were before.